Make your way through five distinctly different countries in Central and Eastern Europe, encountering capitals of history and culture from Warsaw and Vienna to Budapest, and exploring World Heritage sites from Krakow to Prague.
Old World Europe
Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic
16 days from $7,097 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Make your way through five distinctly different countries in Central and Eastern Europe, encountering capitals of history and culture from Warsaw and Vienna to Budapest, and exploring World Heritage sites from Krakow to Prague.
Tour Details
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Sylvia L.The capitals of Old World Europe tour was the most thought-provoking and emotionally intense tour I've ever experienced. It will live on in my memory after the others have faded.
- Tom M.Our trip was an outstanding learning experience that came without the stress of planning and executing a 15-day tour through five countries. Smithsonian did everything for us!
- Kate H.The Old World Europe tour gave us an intimate view of the history and culture of eastern Europe. We learned a lot and enjoyed every minute.
- Ken & Karen O.The total Smithsonian experience was excellent from the tour director to the hotels, itinerary, and logistics. We wouldn't hesitate to use Smithsonian again.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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Polonia Palace Hotel
Warsaw, Poland
Opened more than 90 years ago, the French-style Polonia Palace Hotel preserves the unique characteristics of early 20th-century architecture while incorporating many contemporary features. The conveniently located hotel stands near the Palace of Culture and Science and numerous shopping areas. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, Fitness Center, and sauna. Each of the 206 air-conditioned rooms come fully equipped with a private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Hotel Pod Roza
Krakow, Poland
Located in the center of Old Town on beloved Florianska Street, this is Krakow's oldest hotel. In-deed, the neo-classical building's origins date to the 14th century as a private home and it became a hotel in the 17th century. The hotel offers a restaurant, café, bar, currency exchange, and shops. Your room features contemporary amenities, including private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Hilton Budapest
Budapest, Hungary
A Gothic building incorporating part of a 16th-century Jesuit college and a 13th-century monastery, the Budapest Hilton is located in the Castle District of Buda, near Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. Hotel amenities include two restaurants and a lounge, Fitness Center, casino, and elevator service. Your climate-controlled room has a private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Hilton Vienna Plaza
Vienna, Austria
The Vienna Plaza is located on the famous Ringstrasse, opposite the Vienna Stock Exchange and within walking distance of the city center. Among its facilities are a restaurant, bar, health club, sauna, massage treatments, whirlpool, solarium, and elevator and laundry service. Your air-conditioned room has a private bathroom with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Grand Hotel Bohemia
Prague, Czech Republic
Ideally located in the center of Prague next to Powder Tower and within walking distance of Old Town Square and Old Town Hall, the 78-room Grand Hotel Bohemia is just steps from Wenceslas Square. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Expectations: One of our Classic Land Journeys, this tour features five countries in Central and Eastern Europe with visits to cities, iconic sites, and hidden gems. Although comprehensive, it is not rushed, but well paced and finely tuned. Expectations include longer touring days with many full-day motor coach excursions and six different hotels. Most full-day excursions are from four to six hours; seven afternoons are at leisure and there is one free day in Budapest. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time during city tours, museum visits, and outdoor activities; daily walks of up to three miles, sometimes over difficult terrain that includes cobblestones and city hills, and uneven pavement; stairs without handrails and absence of elevators; and longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. There are three longer coach rides of approximately three to six and a half hours duration.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).
Berlin Post-Tour Extension — 4 Days, 3 Nights
Explore the cosmopolitan German capital – a city of art, culture, and history – as you wish. Your tour extension cost includes:
- Rail transportation Prague/Berlin
- Three (3) nights accommodations at Hotel am Steinplatz (Superior First Class)
- Meal inclusions: three (3) breakfasts
- Transfer from rail station and to airport
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Sylvia L.The capitals of Old World Europe tour was the most thought-provoking and emotionally intense tour I've ever experienced. It will live on in my memory after the others have faded.
- Tom M.Our trip was an outstanding learning experience that came without the stress of planning and executing a 15-day tour through five countries. Smithsonian did everything for us!
- Kate H.The Old World Europe tour gave us an intimate view of the history and culture of eastern Europe. We learned a lot and enjoyed every minute.
- Ken & Karen O.The total Smithsonian experience was excellent from the tour director to the hotels, itinerary, and logistics. We wouldn't hesitate to use Smithsonian again.
Highly Recommended
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For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.
In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.
To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.